Design concepts and principles transcend specific disciplines, so in that regards you are perfectly correct - the same considerations could/should be applied when designing a building, an interior space or an exterior space. And I don't think it has much to do with 'decorating' per se, although a great many do seem to confuse decoration with design. Depending on the homeowner/gardener and their requirements, a collection of outdoor 'rooms' may be exactly what is ordered. And if that is the case, these are treated in much the same way as an indoor space would be addressed - there is a 'floor' (the ground plain), 'walls' (taller screening plants, fences, structures, etc.) and even a 'roof' or ceiling (an overhead structure, tree canopy or just the open sky). The rooms should have a purpose or function. Often architectural elements are included, whether they be built structures or a bold, architectural type of plant. Focal points are considered and included. And they are colored, furnished and 'decorated' just as an interior space would be. And as in an interior space, means of access and egress/ingress and connectivity need to be considered as well. When you come down to it, except with regards to some of the materials, there's not that much difference between the two at all :-)

It is unfortunate that their website is not working. It appears they are trying to make a pragmatic and positive difference in home design. Something that folk in this board have definitely been talking about. As they state "We call them fast houses because they`re like fast food. A fast house is a standardized, mass produced commodity that has been designed to attract our attention, ignite our desire, and give the illusion of value as much if not more than it`s been designed as a place to live. This lack of attention to the fundamentals of good design makes a fast house difficult to live in and hard on the environment.We believe that homes, have too large an environmental footprint, and represent too significant a financial investment for this kind of institutionalized bad design to continue unchecked. A Slow Home is the antithesis of this too-fast mindset. It`s a house that has been designed to be more personally satisfying, environmentally responsible, and economically reasonable.

While I understand your designer’s wish to square off the pool house to be consistent with your actual house, I wouldn’t want to create dead space behind the pool house and lose space where you want it; I.e., between the pool and the pool house. Landscaping could soften the different angles of the two structures. I like the original plan much more.

I do not have an issue with the black windows but why a black roof/ As for the rest the shutters have to go and what is the style you are wanting for the house? The garage door looks pink on my montor so what is planned for that? I need some input from you . I think if you go black for the roof you pretty much have to do gray for the siding and IMO for the garage door too. So find a gray that works with the brick and for sure no strorm door it hides the front door which would be nice to at least see If you use the storm door for the screen get a phantom screen and then an interesting front door with lots of glass.Forget the silly home sign and do a nice big pot filled to overflowing with seasonal plants . I did look at your idea book but nothing there but from that I think you are young why do old lady front door landing decor. especailly if you are going black windows and roof .Actually some redo of the landscaping is the next step .